BBC First was launched in the Asia-Pacific region on 4th April 2016. Unlike other regions, the channel is available as an On-Demand service through subscription via Singapore's largest pay TV operator, StarHub and also via the BBC Player in the region.

On 21st November BBC Worldwide announced that the channel would also be available on-demand in Hong Kong via TVB's new subscription service myTVSuper (alongside BBC Earth, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies).